What if the turtle didn't win because he was slower, but because he never abandoned his pace?
learning to trust a slower kind of progress.
I was reflecting about where I am right now. Right now I’ve been loving a little analog life. I’ve gone back to a paper planner, which isn’t new because I’ve been using a paper planner for 4 years now. However, I’ve officially taken that to the next level where my paper planner is the primary source of information to tell me how I’m navigating my days. I’ve started journaling on paper again, for a while I journaled digitally because it’s “easier” it’s “faster”. But that right there is the problem.
Most of us have heard of the old story of the Turtle and the Hare. A story often shared with children. See but the reason this story is told to children is usually to teach them a lesson about taking their time. If that being the case, why is it that as we grow into adults we’re in a constant state of hurry?
In the classic tale of the tortoise and the hare, we all know that it was this slow tortoise who ended up winning the race over this jumpy, speedy hare. So what if he didn’t win the race, not because he wasn’t “fast” enough, because he was…but rather because he didn’t keep his pace. He wasn’t focused. He wasn’t diligent. He wasn’t intentional.
I think this timeless tale is exactly that, timeless. Because in a world where we’re always chasing the next best thing, the next high. In a world where we’re tempted to be looking left and right while running our own race.
Okay… maybe I'm talking to myself here…
The hare’s problem wasn’t lack of ambition, or that he wasn’t fast, or even that he lacked confidence. The hare’s problem was inconsistency.
The tortoise had one-up’d in one area, and that was being consistent in his pace.
I’ve often found myself in this same position. If I'm being honest I’d even say that this is my more recent struggle(which is where this very concept was birthed from). I’ve recently found myself in a place where I’ve been growing impatient. Feeling like I kept ending up with the short end of the stick when everyone else around me seems to be pulling the great things. I’ve found myself even in this place where, truthfully, I grew subconsciously even frustrated with the Lord… How is it that while none of us are perfect, I feel like I’m doing my best and yet I can’t seem to catch a break. I can’t seem to find my moment where I’m able to say “yes, this was all worth it.” I had to bring these frustrations before the Lord and really ask Him, what gives, God?
I’m not going to sit here and give you this false understanding of what I’m writing here. I’ve not yet had my moment of understanding what or why I feel like I’m constantly left in limbo. But as I share that I’m currently still walking through this I also want to share some key things I’ve learned.
The walk is ongoing – the reality of it is that there will never be a big “aha” moment. The walk is full of mountains AND valleys. So much like the tortoise, it’s important to keep your pace and stay focused on the one and only constant. God. His story for my life is already written. He has already seen the other side, and the only way that I will be is by keeping my eyes on the author and finisher of my story.
Their story is not your story – it can be easy to look around and grow discouraged. But much like the hare, you’re not getting anywhere by growing concerned over what’s happening around you. What is for you will be for you.
Keep your pace – it can be easy to grow weary. It can be easy to grow frustrated. But it gets a lot easier when you just make sure you’re focused on what pertains to you.
Don’t miss it – the worst part of being focused on everything else around you, is that you’ll begin to miss what is meant for you. You may even miss out on what could’ve been a great memory.
Lately I’ve felt a lot of uncertainty. A lot of unsure moments, and a lot of wondering what I'm even doing and if what I am doing is even right (but I guess that’s the beauty of our late twenties).
(me lately)
It took a lot of tears, journaling, praying, and sitting in silence to realize that all I have to do is to keep my focus on what has been placed right in front of me. When I stopped long enough to readjust my focus I actually gave myself a moment to realize that hey, I’m actually living out a time that was once just a prayer. The days I get to live right now were once journal entries about a life that I aspired to. Sure, not all parts but a lot of parts. Enough to be more than grateful for the provision of the Lord.
So from one hare to another, maybe it’s time we take a page from the tortoise’s book and remember that running the race of life isn’t about speed, or what we can prove.. But rather keeping the pace and the focus long enough to see the fruit.
